Need your advice: Go without aid or reapply

[mystra]

Hey guys. I really need your advice on this matter. My problem is I obtained Distinction in LSE's MSc Econ but get into the MRes/PhD without financial support. I am facing a hard choice to continue at LSE (the tuition is 12000GBP or so) or to re-apply this fall. And do you guys think how much chance I stand in being admitted to the top20 US Schools with the bloody money. Thank you.

[tennisboy85]

Well, this is pretty surprising to me. I assumed that people who get a distinction get admitted to the PhD with funding. I think if you could get decent LORs, you should definitely get into a top 20 school.

[mystra]

Thank you tennisboy. I really need to work on my referees. The thing is you never know what s/he writes in the letter.

It seems LSE offers very little fund for their PhD except some TA jobs which is insignificant compared to the tuition.

[Asian]

I am having this same question. Let just say I got a distinction (a so-so 75, just doing alright) from LSE MSc Economics, not MRes Economics, not MSc EME, just MSc LSE. And I got no funding from my PhD offer with LSE, what choice do I have if I want funding? And will that year wasted be a burden when applying?

[asianeconomist]

IMHO, if you have received a distinction, and have the necessary math courses, GRE and LORs, then there is a pretty high probability that you'll get into at least 1 top 20 school with funding.

Probably. you can spend the current year doing a RA jig - that'll only add to your profile.

[filroz]

mystra: I would be extra grateful, if you can share with us more info on this. I would like to know, if you do not mind, how many people with distinction actually end up without funding for MRes year? Are there any criteria...? Thank you very much and good luck in the future!

[mystra]

filroz: I would like to share, but I don't know. Sorry.
Actually, I think you are on a better ground to obtain such information from the dept. as a new MSc student.

[elcapitano]

Originally Posted by filroz

mystra: I would be extra grateful, if you can share with us more info on this. I would like to know, if you do not mind, how many people with distinction actually end up without funding for MRes year? Are there any criteria...? Thank you very much and good luck in the future!

Although I have no particular knowledge of LSE, I suspect that their are a fair few students who don't get funding but do receive a distinction (particuarly non-EU students, for whom funding is probably very limited). This is presumably at least in part because funding is allocated before any grades are assigned; in the UK all the exams tend to be at the end of the year.

Mystra: have you asked about the possibility of picking up TA-ships during the year - you could probably reduce the cost a bit that way. It's probably also worth asking your professors what sort of chance they think you'd have of getting funding if you reapplied this fall as this might indicate you competetiveness elsewhere.

Asian: if you were to score 75 or more that would mean you'd have nailed the course and i'd think it'd put you in the top 5 out of a class of 150 (who had to be at least passably smart to get on the course). Most distinctions in UK masters are barely across the line ebcause it's very, very, difficult to score above 80 in most courses (same applies to 1st's at undergrad level as well).

[Ateno]

Originally Posted by elcapitano

Although I have no particular knowledge of LSE, I suspect that their are a fair few students who don't get funding but do receive a distinction (particuarly non-EU students, for whom funding is probably very limited). This is presumably at least in part because funding is allocated before any grades are assigned; in the UK all the exams tend to be at the end of the year.

Asian: if you were to score 75 or more that would mean you'd have nailed the course and i'd think it'd put you in the top 5 out of a class of 150 (who had to be at least passably smart to get on the course). Most distinctions in UK masters are barely across the line ebcause it's very, very, difficult to score above 80 in most courses (same applies to 1st's at undergrad level as well).

I couldn't agree more with elcapitano. Funding is *very* limited for non-EU/non-US students, no matter how well you do. You have to be the top of the top of the overseas students to even have a fair chance at funding. If elcapitano's definition makes sense, I pretty much nailed down all the subjects for the Master (with one over 80, two over 75), and the school rejected me for funding this year.

You would need to be very realistic and get to know the admission tutors very early (such as Dr Bray). Give them some impression so they will think of you when making funding decision. LSE tends to give too much money on a rolling basis, so when MSc results come out (in July), they have much less funding to distribute to the distinctive ones.

[mystra]

elcapitano: Thank you for both suggestions. Yes, most phd students get TAship. But it is relatively insignificant compared to tuition and living expense because the dept. only allows, at maximum, three hours teaching per week for the first year and five hours in future years. I think the second suggestion is very practicle and worth trying. However, after knowing Ateno's grade, I would not even think of trying. Perhaps, it could be handy for Ateno.
Ateno: Gorgeous grades. I cannot believe they don't give you money. But, for your information only, I know one special case: last year, a guy from MSc EME got 3 distinction and 1 merit but didn't apply for fund at the begining. So the dept. told him there is nothing they can offer to support his PhD at first. However, he later on did receive a tuition waiver + some 4000GBP from the dept.. So, good luck.